Provoking Trade Disputes is ‘Naked Economic Terrorism’: China

BEIJING – A Senior Chinese diplomat said Thursday that provoking trade disputes is “naked economic terrorism”, ramping up the rhetoric against the United States amid a bitter trade war that is showing no signs of ending soon, VoA reported.
Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing intensified sharply earlier this month after the Trump administration accused China of having “reneged” on its previous promises to make structural changes to its economic practices.
US later slapped additional tariffs of up to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods, pressuring Beijing to retaliate.
Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui said China opposed the use of “big sticks” like tariffs, trade sanctions and protectionism.
“We oppose a trade war but are not afraid of a trade war. This kind of intentionally provoking trade disputes is naked economic terrorism, economic homicide, economic bullying,” Zhang said, when asked about the trade war with the US.
Everyone loses in a trade war, Zhang added, addressing a briefing on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Russia next week, where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and speak at a major investor forum in St Petersburg.
“This trade clash will have a serious negative impact on global economic development and recovery,” Zhang added.
“We will definitely properly deal with all external challenges, do our own thing well, develop our economy, and continue to raise the living standards of our two peoples,” he said, referring to China and Russia.
“At the same time, we have the confidence, resolve and ability to safeguard our country’s sovereignty, respect and security and development interests,” he added.
(Sahar News Monitoring Desk)